Newcastle Targeting Out Of Favour Defender – Report

Newcastle are believed to be considering a move for West Ham defender James Tomkins, as Alan Pardew looks to overhaul his squad

Newcastle are targeting West Ham defender James Tomkins, according to reports, with the England Under-21 international joining Alan Pardew's January wishlist as the manager looks to overhaul his squad.

The Toon have now lost eight of their last 10 matches, and have slipped to 15th in the table, a far cry from the 5th-place finish they managed last season.

In their last three matches the side have conceded 13 goals, and Pardew believes the defence is in urgent need of reinforcement.

Talksport claims that Tomkins is currently unhappy with the limited playing time he is getting at West Ham, as he continually left on the bench in favour of James Collins.

As a result, the 23-year-old is open to offers to move elsewhere. Pardew worked with Tomkins during his time in charge of the Hammers, and a deal could be a win for both the player and club.

Pardew has admitted that with the recent string of terrible results, Newcastle fans will be banking on the club making some purchases to show they are serious about becoming a consistently safe side in the Premier League this season and beyond.

Alan Pardew is looking to overhaul his squad, and James Tomkins is reportedly a target for Newcastle this month.

"I need a couple of players in this group, and maybe even three," he said just before the window opened.

But he added: "Whether we can get them here, on a financial front, remains to be seen."

Pardew also said that Newcastle should have purchased more players in the summer, rather than relying on a group who have since been depleted through injury and exits.

"Mike [Ashley] would openly say that, in the summer, we should have bought another player," he said.

Though relief for Newcastle fans will ultimately come when results improve, Pardew has been clear he will improve the squad this month, and a player like Tomkins would only be positive for a defence that have been faltering so often lately.